Just Add Adeline (Charles Piezer)

The Ami house was small compared to their old estate in France, but it had its charm—a quaint stone path leading to a pale blue door, a garden overrun with lavender and climbing roses, and large windows that bathed every room in golden afternoon light. The family had only just arrived the day before, but the silence of the unfamiliar walls already weighed on Adeline.

She stood by the front window, watching the quiet street while her younger sisters sorted through books and ribbons behind her. Elise had been unusually quiet, and Marie hadn't smiled since they stepped off the carriage.

"Maman," Adeline said, turning toward the kitchen, "may I take the girls for a walk? I think some fresh air might help them feel more at ease."

Her mother looked up from unpacking teacups, her brow lifting briefly before she nodded. "That's a lovely idea, ma chérie. Just stay near the square, please."

Adeline smiled and turned to the girls. "Come, mes petites. Let's find a park. I saw one on our way into town."

"A park!" Elise jumped to her feet. "Can we swing?"

"If there are swings, you may swing to your heart's content," Adeline said, gently fixing her bonnet.

Marie stood more slowly, brushing the skirt of her dress. "Will it be quiet there?"

"Let's find out together."

They stepped out into the streets of Saffron Falls, where the warm breeze carried the scent of fresh bread and the faint murmur of town life. The buildings were modest but well-kept, with ivy curling up their sides and flowerboxes under nearly every window. The town was different than what they had known—but not unkind.

As they neared the park, Adeline spotted a small playground surrounded by trees. Elise ran ahead toward the swing set while Marie took a quiet seat on a bench nearby. Adeline lingered behind them, letting the moment breathe.

"Adeline?"

She turned. Rose Piezer stood a few paces away, a basket over her arm and a familiar, bright smile on her face.

"Rose," Adeline greeted, her spine straightening ever so slightly. "What a surprise."

"I come here a lot," Rose said, glancing toward the swings. "Mind if I sit?"

"Not at all." Adeline stepped aside and gestured to the space beside Marie.

Rose settled beside them, glancing curiously at the younger girl. "Your sister?"

"Marie," Adeline said. "And the one on the swing is Elise."

Marie gave a small, polite wave, and Adeline felt a flicker of pride.

"I was hoping I'd run into you," Rose said, turning her attention back to Adeline. "I didn't really get to talk much last night. Dinner was... a lot."

Adeline smiled faintly. "Yes, our parents do love a performance."

"But you were nice. You didn't treat me like I was a child."

"You aren't," Adeline replied. "How old are you?"

"Fifteen. Almost sixteen."

Adeline nodded. "Then we're close in age. I turned sixteen last month."

"I knew it! I told Charles you didn't seem old like the others they try to marry off."

Adeline's smile faltered slightly but didn't fall away. "And what did he say to that?"

"He said it wasn't his choice. But I think he liked you. You were polite to him."

Adeline glanced away, watching Elise pump her legs on the swing. "First impressions matter," she murmured.

As if summoned by the mention of his name, Charles Piezer appeared just beyond the gate, dressed in a neat button-down and vest. His eyes swept over the park until they landed on his sister—and then, inevitably, on Adeline.

"Rose," he called, making his way over. "We need to head back for lunch."

"Already?" Rose groaned. "But I just got here!"

Charles offered an apologetic smile, then looked at Adeline with polite reserve. "Miss Ami."

"Mr. Piezer," she returned, standing as he approached. Her tone was civil, perfectly measured, but not nearly as warm as it had been the night before. The last time, I thought it was just a formality. A chance to be nice. To be agreeable. But this feels different.

His eyes flicked to Marie and Elise. "Out exploring today?"

"A walk," Adeline replied, hands neatly clasped in front of her. "The girls needed some air."

Charles nodded slowly, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer. "I hope you're all settling in."

"We're adjusting," she said simply.

There was a beat of silence. Rose looked between them curiously, but said nothing.

"Well," Charles finally said, "it was nice seeing you again."

Adeline offered him a short nod, still composed. "Likewise."

As he turned to leave with Rose, Marie tugged gently on her sister's hand. "You were different with him today."

Adeline's expression softened as she looked down. "People are often different when things change, chérie."

She guided her sisters back toward the path home, her thoughts weighed down by her mother's words from the night before:

"It's been arranged. You'll be betrothed to Charles Piezer."

It was all so sudden. So decided. Her life, her future—traded in a polite conversation over roast lamb and sugared pears.

No matter how kind Charles may have seemed, or how gentle he was with his sister, the truth still stung. Her heart wasn't ready to be given away like a dowry. And while she knew duty came before desire, a small part of her—deep and quiet—resented him for being the center of a decision that was never hers to make.

Later that evening, Adeline sat in her bedroom brushing Elise's hair while Marie hummed softly from the window seat. The day had passed with an unsettling mix of newness and familiarity—parks that reminded her of the countryside in France, strangers whose kindness mirrored that of old friends, and yet nothing felt quite like home.

Her thoughts kept drifting back to the park—more specifically, to Charles. His expression had been kind, if unreadable, and while he had said nothing to provoke her, Adeline couldn't help the subtle distance she now placed between them.

I don't want to resent him, she thought. I don't want to let this decision break me. But still, the anger simmered, just beneath the surface. She couldn't stop herself from wondering: Did he feel it, too? The weight of the future pressing on us both?

She kissed Elise's forehead and whispered, "To bed, little one."

Elise gave a sleepy murmur in response and wandered to the small cot tucked beside Adeline's. Marie followed soon after, settling under her quilt with a sigh. Adeline turned down the oil lamp and crawled into her

1039 Words